Air Fryer Okra Recipe (Fries and Breaded!)

For breaded fried okra in the air fryer:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Set out two shallow bowls.
2. In one bowl, mix the cornmeal, flour, salt, garlic powder, smoke paprika, and pepper. Mix and set aside. In the second bowl whisk together the egg and milk.
3. Cut the tops off the okra pods. Then cut each pod into half inch rounds. Toss the chopped okra pieces into the egg mixture. When you get down to the thin tip of the okra pod, discard.
4. Once you have about a cup of chopped okra in the egg mixture toss well. Then drain off the egg mixture and toss the pieces into the cornmeal breading. Mix well to coat.
5. Open the air fryer, and shake the excess cornmeal off of the fried okra pieces. Place the breaded okra in the air fryer in a single layer. Fill the air fryer basket with as much okra as will cover the bottom of the basket.
6. Spray oil spray over the breaded okra, then close and air fry for 5 to 6 minutes.
7. Open the air fryer basket, shake well, then spray the tops with oil spray again. Close and continue air frying for another 4 to 6 minutes, until the breading is firm and golden.
8. Work and as many batches as necessary until all your okra is breaded in air fried. This is most likely two batches for a larger air fryer and 3 to 4 batches for a smaller air fryer.
9. Fresh okra will take 10 to 12 minutes of total cooking time per batch. Frozen okra will need a little longer, 13 to 15 minutes per batch.

For healthy okra fries:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Cut the okra pod lengthwise into quarters, creating four long okra fries per pod.
2. Spray the okra fries with oil spray, just enough to coat each fry. Place half the fries in the air fryer basket. Spread into an even layer. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper, then add just a small sprinkle of garlic powder over the top. Close the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes. Then open and shake the basket. Spread the okra fries out evenly again and continue frying for another 2 to 5 minutes.
3. Fresh okra fries will take 7 to 10 minutes per batch. Frozen okra fries will take 9 to 12 minutes per batch. Repeat with as many batches as necessary, depending on the size of your air fryer. (Fresh okra fries are definitely better than frozen okra fries!)